Suction cleaner nozzle adjustment signal



May 21, 1940. E. F. MARTINET 2,201,835

SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT SIGNAL Filed Sept. 8, 1937 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awn/MM y 2 E. F. MARTINET 2,201,835

SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE ADJUSTMENT SIGNAL Filed Sept. 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ammo Patented May 21, 1940 UNITED sT TES 2,201,835 SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE anmsmu'r SIGNAL Eugene F. Martinet, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The P. A. Geier Company, Cleveland, Ohio. a

corporation of Ohio Application September s, 1931, Serial No. 162,908

6 Claims. (01. 15-9 The inventiorf'relates to a portable suction cleaner, including a nozzle and associated means which are adjustable to vary the relative location of the nozzle mouth with respect to the partieular surface being cleaned.

In a suction cleaner, whether or not a power -driven rotary brush or agitator is provided in its nozzle mouth, substantially no cleaning takes place unless the nozzle mouth is properly located 30 with respect to the particular surface to be cleaned, so as to provide the proper nozzle adjustment between the surface being cleaned and the nozzle mouth as the cleaner is moved across the surface being cleaned. T Rugs having different nap thicknesses, and floor surfaces of wood, linoleum, tile or the like, each require a different adjustment of the nozzle mouth with respect to the surface, to provide the proper nozzle adjustment for most effective cleaning.

Moreover, if the nozzle adjustment is too close to the surface being cleaned, the nozzle will tend to dig into the surface and it will.be diflicult or hard to push the cleaner back and forth across the surface, or in the case of a bare floor and the like, the cleaner nozzle may scrape the surface.

Thus, it is particularly important that the adjustment ofthe cleaner nozzle mouth with to respect to the surface being cleaned, shallnot be any closer than is necessary to provide'a maximum amount of cleaning eflect, with the least 73,868 (Patent No. 2,120,011) and 78,624; and

I have also provided means for automatically adjusting the nozzle mouth to that a maximum predetermined cleaning effect is producedfas set so forth in my copending application, Serial No. 145,998; and such constructions are admirably satisfactory for the purposes intended. However, eachxof these prior constructions involve certain bhanges or additions in the usual con- 50' structio; of a suction cleaner; and are not read- Y ily adipted for being applied as attachment parts to cleaners whichhave been sold and are in use.

The objects of the present invention include 55 in general the provision of a very simplified construction of signaling means which may be associated with the nozzle of a suction cleaner and operated by variations in the suction or pressure of thelair in the nozzle to indicate to the user a desired particular condition of the suction air, 5 such as when the suction or pressure in the nozzle is such as will provide a maximum amount of cleaning as when the nozzle has been properly adjusted.

A further object of the present invention is to 10 provide a signaling device incorporated in' aremovable attachment which may be applied to an opening present or formed in a nozzle .wall of a suction cleaner to indicate the attainment of a desired satisfactory condition of the suction ll air in the nozzle such as will provide a maximum' amount of cleaningas when the nozzle has been properly adjusted.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple signaling device incorporated 20 in an attachment which maybesecured to the converter opening ofsundry types, kinds, styles and makes of suction cleaners in place of the cover plate usually used to close the converter opening, for indicating the attainment of the 26 proper nozzle adjustment to secure a maximum amount of cleaning. v

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the suction cleaner, apparatus, parts, improvements, attachments, combinations, and 30 sub-combinations, which comprise the present. invention; the nature of the same being set forth in the following general statement and preferred embodiments of which, together with their mode of use, are set forth in the following 36 description; and which areparticularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the append claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements of the present invention may-be described in general terms 40 as including preferably in a portable suction cleaner, a suction nozzle communicating with ducts or passages, means for flowing suction' cleaning air into the nozzle and through the ducts, preferably wheel supporting means asso- 46 ciated with the nozzle, means for adjusting the wheel supporting means, and means associated with the nozzle actuated by variations in the suction or pressure existing in the nozzle or ducts for indicating to user of the cleaner a par- 50 ticular conditionbf the suction air such as that when -proper adjustment of the nozzle month has been effected for providing for a maximum cleaning action of the cleaner; said signaling means perferably comprising a device for re- 9 which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suction cleaner equipped with the improved signaling device in the form of a removable attachment adapted for being secured to the converter opening of the cleaner; s

Fig. 2 is anenlarged side elevation, with portions broken away and in section, of an electrically operated portable suction cleaner proof the cleaner shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the relative positions of certain of the parts of the cleaner after the nozzle has been adjusted to locate the nozzle mouth at the proper position to obtain maximum cleaning action for the particular nap rug illustrated;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but. showing the parts of the signaling device in their relative positions associated with the relative positions of the cleaner parts shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the signaling attachment shown in Fig. 5; 1

Fig.7 is a rear view-of the signaling attachment shown in Fig. 5; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 5 of a modified form of construction.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

An electrically operated portable suction cleaner with a power driven rotary brush in the nozzle chamber thereof and with a headlight, and provided with one embodiment of the present improvements, is shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, and is generally indicated at ID.

The suction cleaner lfl'includes a motor (not shown) in a motor housing ll, associated with a fan housing ,l2 having a fan l3 therein secured on the motor shaft, and a suction nozzle I4 is located" adjacent to and communicates with the.

fanhousing. An operating handle l5, and a dust bag l6 connected with the exhaust opening of the housing mouth 22 terminating in lip walls 28:; and

A rotary brush generally indicated at 24, and provided with bristles 25 is preferably detachably and adjustably rotatably mounted in the suction mouth", and the brush 24 is preferably motor driven, as shown in the drawings, preferably by an endless flat band rubber belt 28, which passes over the brush, pulley surface 21 and the pulley surface 28 of motor shaft extension 28.

As shown, the lip walls 23a and 23b of the nozzle are preferably provided at the entrance to the nozzle mouth 22 with a nozzle lip plate and brush guard 30.

The headlight means generally indicated at 28, as shown, includes an upper centrally located forwardly opening headlight shield 3| within the chamber 32 of which is operatively mounted an electric headlight bulb 33, which is associated with a source of power for the motor, the headlight 33 being preferably lighted when the motor and fan are inoperation.

The front wheel or caster supporting means indicated generally at H, preferably include front axles 34 extending respectively coaxially and laterally outward on opposite sides of the lower portions of thefan housing; and the wheels I! are journaled on said front axles 34.

The adjustable double rear caster means generally indicated at I8, preferably include a bracket member 35 secured to the motor housing H to which is pivotally mounted the frame member 86, on which the wheels i8 are journaled at 31. An adjusting screw 38 is threaded into an extension 39 on the motor housing I I to press against frame member 36, which is normally urged toward the end of the screw 38 by spring 48.

In the style of cleaner shown in the drawings, the front wall of nozzle [4 'is provided with an auxiliary opening 4| through which a converter attachment may be passed for connecting a flexi-' ble hose to the fan chamber of the cleaner l8. Normally, the converter attachment opening 4| is closed with a disk plate, which sometimes forms the name plate for the cleaner, and for the purposes of the present invention, the improved signaling device generally indicated at 42 is substituted for the usual converter opening closure plate.

Referring to Figs. 3, 5, 6 and '7, the signaling device preferably includes a concaved front plate 43 terminating at 44 in an annular flange and provided with a central opening 45, a handle knob 46, and two or more apertures 41. The signaling device also includes a rear plate 48, to which a strip spring clip 49 is secured at 58 for removably securing the attachment 42 to the cleaner converter opening 4|, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Two or more openings 5i are also provided in the rear *plate 48.

The front and rear plates 43 and 48 form a chamber indicated at 52 in which is located a rubber disk diaphragm 53, the peripheral edge 84 of which is tightly clamped between plates 43 and 48 when assembling plates 43 and 48 together as by beading or peening over the end of the annular flange 44, as indicated at 55. The rubber dia-- phragm 53 has a button 53 secured to the central portion thereof, as by providing washers 51, by forming a central aperture in the diaphragm, by passing the inner end of the button 88 through the washers and diaphragm aperture, and by securing the washers 51 to the reduced neck 88 on the inner end of the button It to clamp the diaphragm between the washers 51.

A spring 58, engaged over a central pin 38 on the inner side of plate 48, and engaged in a recess il within button 86, normally urges the button outward through the central aperture 48 of the front plate 48, so that the various parts of the signaling device 42 normally assume the positions shown in Fig. 3.

The apertures 41 in front plate permit atthe rear plate I. permit the suction or pressure cleaned; or when the button 56 shows that an existing in the cleaner nozzle to reach the rear plate side of the diaphragm 53 when the signaling device 42 is in place on the suction cleaner It, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

The operation of the improved suction cleaner may be described as follows:

cident with the correct adjustment of the entrance mouth of the nozzle with respect to the surface to be cleaned, whether it be a nap rug I! or the like, or a bare floor or the'like; by which adjustment a maximum or predetermined cleaning action will occur. in using the particular design of cleaner with its nozzle mouth correctly adjusted.

The manufacturer, having determined that degree of suction coincident with the proper adjustment of the nozzle entrance ,mouth to effect a maximum predetermined cleaning action, then so designs the diaphragm 58 and button 56 of the signaling device 32 that the button will move from the position of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 5 the instant that a suction or pressure has been obtained in the cleaner nozzle, which is coincident with proper adjustment of'the nozzle entrance mouth with respectto the surface being cleaned.

For convenience, the button 58 may have a line 62 placed thereon and the outside surface of the button to left of line 62 may be colored one color and that to the right of line 82 may be colored another color. Thus, that portion of the button to the right of line 62 cannot be seen when the button is at a position; indicating proper nozzle adjustment.

Referring now to Fig. 2, assuming that the cleaner has been operated on some surface with its parts in'the relative position shown in Fig. 2, which is not a correct adjustment for the particular nap mg I! shown, and assuming that the cleaner is tobe operated on nap rug it with propernozzle adjustment, the sequence of attaining the proper adjustment is as follows:

..'Ihe motor is running, causing fan I! to induce an air flow into nozzle I. The user then turns screw 3! to depress frame 35. thus depressing nozzle ll until a position such as shown in Fig. is reached, which is a proper adjustment for a nap rug 1 9 so as to attain a maximum predetermined amount of cleaning.

mum cleaning effect; and when' that degree of suctionis attained in nozzle i4, atmospheric air acts against the outside of diaphragm 43 to push the same to the right, to the position shown in .Figs. 4 and 5, when button 58 indicates that'the proper nozzle adjustment has been obtained.- The operator upon seeing button reach the position of Figs. 4 and 5, ceasesto adjust the nozzlefurther and the cleaner may then be operated for cleaning nap rug it.

The procedure lust outlined, is taken by the operator every time the cleaner is movedto or used on a surface having diflerent'characteristics from the characteristics of the surface last adjustment of the nozzle is required, as when the button is in any other position than that shown in Fig. 5.

Thus, each time an adjustment is made, the nozzle is raised out of sealing engagement with the surface being cleaned to a position such as shown in Fig. 2; and the nozzle is then lowered, with the fan operating, until the button moves to the position shown in Fig. 5.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the signaling device 42a is similar to the signaling device 42, except that the diaphragm 53a. is preferably constructed 'of molded rubber to have a shallow cup shape with a fiat peripheral edge 51a clamped between front and rear'plates 43a and 4d.

The molded rubber diaphragm 53a has sufi-' cient stifiness that it substantially maintains the position shown in Fig. 8 as the suction increases in a cleaner nozzle being adjusted, until the proper adjustment is made for obtaining a maxi= mum predetermined amount of cleaning, when the diaphragm 53a moves quickly with a snap= like action to the position shown in Fig. 9. In so moving, button 56a which is carried by diaphragm 53a moves to the position shown in Fig. 9, thus indicating the attainment ofproper nozzle adjustment. The diaphragm 53a of course has suflicient resilience that it snaps back to the position of Fig. 8 whenever the nozzle is out of proper adjustment, thus indicating that fact by button 56a.

Thus, the improved signalingv device may be quickly and readily attached to cleaners that are now in use by simply replacing the converter opening cover plate with a device 42 or 42s designed for the particular type of cleaner to which it is attached. Moreover, a cleaner not provided with a converter opening in a nozzle wall may be readily equipped with the improved signaling de-. vice by forming a hole in the nozzle wall of such size as will receive the improved signaling device 42 or 42a.

Moreover, in building new cleaners, the same may be equipped with the improved signaling;

deviceas shown, or one of the plates of the sig-' naling device may be formed integrally with a nozzle wall and the signaling device constructed otherwise the same with. the omission of the spring clip".

The present improvements as above described by way of example, thus provide a suction cleaner in which the variation in the suction or pressure of the air existing in the cleaner passage is uti lized to actuate signaling means for automatically indicating to the user a desired particular suction or pressure condition of cleaning air, such as when the cleaning air has attained the proper cleaning suction by the proper adlustmentof the nozzle mouth of the cleaner, to perform a maximum predetermined amount of cleaning.

Accordingly, the present improvements provide means for obtaining the objects heretofore set. forth in a very simple device, which may be in the form of an attachment adapted to be secured to many existing types oi cleaners to indicate proper nomle adjustment for obtaining a maximum predetermined cleaning eiiect.

Having now described the features of the invention, the construction, adjustment, operation and use of preferred formsof the invention, and

the advantages and results obtained thereby; the

new and useful partaelements. devices, combinations and constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

(I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner having walls forming a nozzle provided with a suction mouth and an auxiliary-opening adapted for the reception of a converter attachment, a signal device for indicating 'the suction existing in the nozzle, including a plate removably secured to said nozzle wall and covering said opening, and a nozzle suction operated indicator mounted on the plate communicating through said plate with the suction nozzle.

2. In a suction cleaner having a fan, walls forming a suction passage on the suction side of the fan, there being an opening in one of said walls, and suction operated nozzle suction indicating means removably secured to said wall over said opening.

3. "In a suction cleaner having walls forming a nozzle, one of said nozzle walls having spaced wall parts forming a compartment, one of said wall parts having means providing communication between the compartment and the interior of the nozzle and the other wall part having means providing communication between .the compartment and the atmosphere, a diaphragm in said compartment between said wall parts, and a signaling indicator button connected to said diaphragm and extending through said last mentioned wall part.

4. An attachment for a suction cleaner including spaced wall parts forming a compartment, there being a plurality of openings through one of said wall parts, a diaphragm in said compartment, an indicator mounted on and carried by said diaphragm and extending through one of said openings, and a spring attaching clip carried by the other wall part for removably securing the attachment to a suction cleaner to cover an opening in the nozzle thereof.

5. An attachment for a suction cleaner including inner and outer wall parts having spaced por-' tions forming a compartment, there being open ings through said wall parts, a diaphragm in said compartment having its peripheral edge clamped between said wall parts, a visible indicator mounted on and carried by said diaphragm and extending through the opening in the outer wall part,'

EUGENE F. mn'rmnr. 

